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The big Cheltenham Festival questions that still need answering - and what we think should happen
CheltenhamFestival

The big Cheltenham Festival questions that still need answering - and what we think should happen

1m
|Cheltenham Festival
These eight Cheltenham Festival finishes all got the pulse racing - but which from our list make up your top three?
TheFront Runner

These eight Cheltenham Festival finishes all got the pulse racing - but which from our list make up your top three?

6h
|Cheltenham Festival
The major remaining Cheltenham Festival questions should be answered - and can this horse make history in the Imperial Cup?
TheLookahead

The major remaining Cheltenham Festival questions should be answered - and can this horse make history in the Imperial Cup?

8h
|Cheltenham Festival
'If he'd fallen again it would have been disastrous for British racing' - Henrietta Knight backs Nicky Henderson's Constitution Hill call
Britain

'If he'd fallen again it would have been disastrous for British racing' - Henrietta Knight backs Nicky Henderson's Constitution Hill call

21h
|Cheltenham Festival
'You wouldn't feel safe up in the air at the minute' - jockeys and trainers stranded with Dubai under attack
UAE

'You wouldn't feel safe up in the air at the minute' - jockeys and trainers stranded with Dubai under attack

22h
|Cheltenham Festival
Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin hammered from 18-1 into 13-2 for remarkable repeat but Gavin Cromwell warns 'it's a very big ask'
CheltenhamFestival

Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin hammered from 18-1 into 13-2 for remarkable repeat but Gavin Cromwell warns 'it's a very big ask'

1d
|Cheltenham Festival
'Go on Harry!' - former Premier League player backs old boss in Cheltenham Gold Cup
CheltenhamFestival

'Go on Harry!' - former Premier League player backs old boss in Cheltenham Gold Cup

2d
|Cheltenham Festival
'It was one of the hardest decisions I've had to make' - Nicky Henderson to explore Flat options for Constitution Hill
Britain

'It was one of the hardest decisions I've had to make' - Nicky Henderson to explore Flat options for Constitution Hill

4d
|Cheltenham Festival
Have Nicky Henderson and Michael Buckley made the right or wrong call with Constitution Hill? The jury is out
Britain

Have Nicky Henderson and Michael Buckley made the right or wrong call with Constitution Hill? The jury is out

4d
|Cheltenham Festival
Bangor: 'Drop his head on the line and I'll buy you a pint' - Planned Paradise gives owner perfect birthday present
Reports

Bangor: 'Drop his head on the line and I'll buy you a pint' - Planned Paradise gives owner perfect birthday present

4d
|Cheltenham Festival

The Cheltenham Festival 2026

Set in the heart of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham racecourse has hosted racing since 1815 and now showcases some of the best jump racing in Britain.

The highlight of which is the Cheltenham Festival, which runs for four days in March and is widely considered the pinnacle of the jump racing season. There are a total of 28 incredible Cheltenham races, featuring 14 Grade 1 events contested in front of more than 65,000 racegoers each day. Every owner, jockey and trainer dreams of a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, cementing their place in history alongside some of the legends of the sport including Denman, Kauto Star and Istabraq.

To add to the excitement, there is an ongoing rivalry between Great Britain and Ireland which has been celebrated in recent years with the introduction of the Prestbury Cup. The two nations compete against one another to accumulate the most winners at the Cheltenham Festival. The side to win the most wins at Cheltenham in 2026 is presented with the Prestbury Cup at the end of the week.

Last year the Prestbury Cup was claimed by Irish trainers with a total of 20 wins compared to 8 for the British trainers.

Be sure to check out our exclusive Cheltenham free bets from the best online bookmakers in the UK to enhance your betting experience throughout the Festival. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many days is the Cheltenham Festival?

The Cheltenham Festival takes place over four days. In 2026, it runs from Tuesday 10th March to Friday 13th March.

How long is the Cheltenham Festival?

The Cheltenham Festival lasts for four days and has done since 2005, having previously been held over three days. Each day contains seven races, with racing beginning at 1.20pm and the final race starting at 5.20pm.

What is the Cheltenham Festival?

The Cheltenham Festival is the biggest four days of the jumps season. It consists of 28 races, seven per day, and hosts many of the season-defining championship races such as the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup.

How much are Cheltenham Festival 2026 tickets?

Cheltenham Festival tickets cost between £42 for advanced bookings and £120 for an early multi-day ticket for the first three days of the meeting. Gold Cup day is more expensive, with tickets costing between £70 and £135. The variation in ticket prices depends on the enclosure you want to go in.

Where is the Cheltenham Festival?

The Cheltenham Festival is run at Cheltenham racecourse, which can be found on the outskirts of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

When is the Cheltenham Festival 2026?

The Cheltenham Festival takes place every March. This year's festival runs from Tuesday 10th March to Friday 13th March 2026.

When does the Cheltenham Festival start?

The Cheltenham Festival starts on Tuesday, 10th March 2026

Is there a dress code for the Cheltenham Festival?

As the Cheltenham Festival can take place in all sorts of conditions, the course recommends racegoers dress for the weather. However, many ladies will wear hats and gentlemen are advised to wear suits or dress up if they are in hospitality or the Club enclosure.

How many people go to the Cheltenham Festival?

Cheltenham Festival achieved an attendance of 218,839 in 2025, the lowest in the last decade, with an average attendance of 54,709 each day of the festival. The Gold Cup Day saw a rise to 68,026 people. In 2024, the average attendance across the four days was 65,000, peaking at 71,500 on Gold Cup day. In 2023 daily attendances were capped at 68,500 to enhance the experience for racegoers, while in 2022, the total number was 280,627 over the course of the four days.

Has the Cheltenham Festival ever been cancelled?

The Cheltenham Festival was last cancelled in its entirety in 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak, while the second day was called off in 2008 due to high winds, those races were rescheduled for the remaining two days. In 2019 the opening day of the festival was in doubt due to adverse weather conditions, but was eventually given the all clear and racing proceeded on all four days. The 2020 festival was one of the last major sporting events in the UK before COVID-19 lockdowns. A year later in 2021, the festival was held 'behind closed doors' with no spectators allowed to attend. Amateur jockeys were also not permitted to race.

Does the Cheltenham Festival ever sell out?

The whole festival does not sell out. Attendance was a total of 218,839 across the four days last year. However, Gold Cup day (the Friday of the meeting) does often sell out.

How do I get to the Cheltenham Festival?

Whether it be a plane, train or automobile, you can rest assured there are ample options for travelling to the Cheltenham Festival in 2026. If you are arriving by car, there is plenty of parking available with a £15 charge when purchasing in advance. National Express is offering racegoers the chance to book coach travel from locations across the UK direct to Cheltenham racecourse. Cheltenham racecourse also caters for aircraft throughout Cheltenham’s racing season, so long as the visiting aircraft has pre-booked the landings with the racecourse. You can also book a taxi directly to the racecourse. Many of the festival-goers will take this option from the nearest train station, Cheltenham Spa.

Who sponsors the Cheltenham Festival 2026?

Most of the 28 races have individual sponsors, such as the Gold Cup which is sponsored by Boodles. Other featured race sponsors include Unibet, Ryanair, BetMGM and Paddy Power Albert Barlett, Brown Advisory, Weatherbys, JCB, Glenfarclas, Pertemps, TrustATrader, William Hill, Close Brothers, St. James's Place, Turner's, Sky Bet and Coral are also race sponsors. In 2026, Debenhams, The Rosconn Group and Hallgarten and Novum Wines are sponsors of the Grand Annual Chase, Kim Muir and the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle respectively.
TuesdaySupreme Novices' Hurdle Arkle Chase Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Ultima Handicap Chase Champion Hurdle TrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap National Hunt Chase
TuesdaySupreme Novices' Hurdle OddsArkle Chase OddsFred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle OddsUltima Handicap Chase OddsChampion Hurdle OddsTrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap OddsNational Hunt Chase Odds
TuesdaySupreme Novices' Hurdle TipsArkle Chase TipsFred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle TipsUltima Handicap Chase TipsChampion Hurdle TipsTrustATrader Festival Plate Handicap TipsNational Hunt Chase Tips
WednesdayTurner's Novices' Hurdle Brown Advisory Novices' Chase Coral Cup Hurdle Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase Champion Chase Grand Annual Chase Champion Bumper
WednesdayTurner's Novices' Hurdle OddsBrown Advisory Novices' Chase OddsCoral Cup Hurdle OddsGlenfarclas Cross Country Chase OddsChampion Chase OddsGrand Annual Chase OddsChampion Bumper Odds
WednesdayTurner's Novices' Hurdle TipsBrown Advisory Novices' Chase TipsCoral Cup Hurdle TipsGlenfarclas Cross Country Chase TipsChampion Chase TipsGrand Annual Chase TipsChampion Bumper Tips
ThursdayMares' Novices' Hurdle Jack Richards Novices' Chase Mares Hurdle Stayers' Hurdle Ryanair Chase Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Kim Muir Handicap Chase
ThursdayMares' Novices' Hurdle OddsJack Richards Novices' Chase OddsMares Hurdle OddsStayers' Hurdle OddsRyanair Chase OddsPertemps Handicap Hurdle OddsKim Muir Handicap Chase Odds
ThursdayMares' Novices' Hurdle TipsJack Richards Novices' Chase TipsMares Hurdle TipsStayers' Hurdle TipsRyanair Chase TipsPertemps Handicap Hurdle TipsKim Muir Handicap Chase Tips
FridayTriumph Hurdle County Hurdle Mares Chase Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle Gold Cup St James's Place Hunters' Chase Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
FridayTriumph Hurdle OddsCounty Hurdle OddsMares Chase OddsAlbert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle OddsGold Cup OddsSt James's Place Hunters' Chase OddsMartin Pipe Handicap Hurdle Odds
FridayTriumph Hurdle TipsCounty Hurdle TipsMares Chase TipsAlbert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle TipsGold Cup TipsSt James's Place Hunters' Chase TipsMartin Pipe Handicap Hurdle Tips